Embassies close in North Korea as diplomats evacuated over virus

Pit Heltmann, German Ambassador to North Korea speaks to journalists upon his arrival from Pyongyang, North Korea, at Vladivostok's international airport, Russia. A special North Korean flight carrying presumably dozens of diplomats and other foreigners arrived in Russia's Far East on Monday (March 9), as the North tightens a lockdown intended to fend off the coronavirus. - AP

SEOUL: Several embassies in North Korea closed on Monday (March 9) as many diplomats were flown out following weeks of tight quarantine restrictions imposed by Pyongyang over the spread of the novel coronavirus.

North Korea has not confirmed a single infection but has imposed strict rules, including closing its borders and putting thousands of its own people into isolation.